Birth plan WWYD?

[Catsdogsandfoxes]

Hi all,

Just wondering what other people would do in my position, especially if you've given birth before. I've had a really hard pregnancy- HG which has only just subsided and I've been able to stop taking medication for, and over the last 8-9 weeks horrendous abdominal pain that no one has really been able to tell me the cause of (finally seeing Physio next week). I've hardly gone out, can't work, can't do much around the house - poor hubby is stuck with it all. I had a meeting with a few doctors last week about another issue and they basically told me I had to have an epidural because of the other issue which is fine and what I wanted but I can't have it until I'm in established labour. The thought of labouring through the abdominal pain I've been experiencing until 4cm is terrifying - plus my core is absolutely non existent atm as I'm lying down a lot of the time. I explained this and they were happy for me to explore C section as an option, or induction at 39 to save me being in pain for longer (but again no epidural until established labour). I should say I'm 35 weeks. The thought of being pregnant for potentially 6 more weeks at least is just exhausting and hard, considering I'm incapacitated. However the thought of struggling through an induction (at least until 4cm) or recovery from a c section and not having a 'normal' birth is quite sad for me and DH.

I'm wondering- what would others do?

Option 1 - Wait to go into labour naturally and take the epidural as soon as you can
Option 2 - Planned C section
Option 3 - Induction

Planned c section recovery is so much better than an emergency one. I would go with that. Induction can be very very slow, I wouldn't want to go through it in your shoes.

Get rid of the idea that the only 'normal' birth is a vaginal one. I still burn when I remember my husband's ex wife, when told I had a caesarean, saying to me that I did not have a 'real' birth. It felt pretty damn real to me, and as it was medically advised, a safe birth far outweighed any desire to go through labour. Your goal is to have a healthy baby, and if your history means a planned section, then don't second guess it.
As for epidural, there's not much point in having it too early, go with what doctors advise.

I was in similar position toy yours,violent vomiting couple of times a day until almost 30 weeks,SPD from 25 weeks which resulted in constant pain,even when turning in bed,crutches when walking but did not help much with pain,just made me more independent.
Then my BP started raising,swollen legs,suspected pre eclampsia.Had to stay in hospital for a week.I was prepared for either induction or CS as the pain was enormous.I was eventually given green light for an induction at 37+5 and just thought let it be,just wanted the pain to stop and make sure that the baby is okay.
The whole process of induction was actually surprisingly quick and not as agonising as some people describe.All it took was breaking my waters at 1cm,30 minutes of continuous monitoring and than I just decided to stand,walk around a bit or sit on the ball,could not face getting on the bed as it was so uncomfortable.I was prepared for a cascade of interventions (drip,failure to progress,CS or assisted delivery) but to my surprise,my DS was born just 2 hours after they decided to induce me.
I was assisting with deliveries and CS previously and would not recommend it to anyone who can have vaginal delivery unless there is high risk to mother or baby.

It’s such a personal choice. Have you been scanned for gall stones?

I was in a similar position with my second and opted for a section after an emergency section first time around.

Both recoveries were absolutely fine.

Also agree 2ith @maofteens. Any birth that results in a human being expelled from your body is "normal" so don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself to get it "right".

Please don't refer to a CS as not being 'normal' - that is just the shite peddled by the woo hypnobirthing types.

Your body, your choice. I had a planned CS and I have to say the recovery was absolutely fine, I imagine an emergency one would be quite different tho.

Thanks ladies, I understand what you mean, maybe 'normal' was a bad choice of word! Im not woo AT ALL and know a c section is completely normal, but I sort of always imagined my baby appearing from between my legs if you know what I mean! Just an adjustment in thinking I guess. @Pissinthepottyplease no I havent actually but its a bit more surface than that- have had suggestions from various medical professionals that range from 'mechanical pain' to 'compressed nerves' to 'connective tissue stretching'! Anyway thanks for all your thoughts, much appreciated.

@Catsdogsandfoxes I would go for vaginal birth I'm pretty sure the contraction pain will soon take over the abdominal pain you've been experiencing